Napkin dispenser



Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNETED STATES NAPKIN DISPENSER of Wisconsin Applicationoctober 17, 1934, Serial No. 748,577

Z'Claims. (01. 312-62) This invention relates to a dispenser and more particularly to a dispenser for folded paper articles, such as paper napkins and the like.

According to my present invention, a follower mechanism is provided for advancing articles within the dispenser in such a manner as to maintain the articles in proper position to be dis-. pensed and also to exert against the articles a constant pressure uniformly urging the folded articles towards the dispensing opening. Means are provided for preventing the follower mechanism from becoming jammed or from binding in its action.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a dispenser for folded paper articles of animproved construction, whereby the dispensing of such articles is facilitated.

It is a further important object, of this invention to provide a follower mechanism for dispensers that is simplelin its operation and functions smoothly without binding.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser for folded paper napkins and the like wherein a follower member is supported from the side walls of the dispenser out of contact with the bottom wall so as to maintain the follower plate at all times in a vertical plane.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawmg.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a dispenser for folded paper napkins and the like, embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line II--II of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line III-J11 of Fig. 2, showing the operation in dotted lines.

As shown on the drawing:

The reference numeral I8 indicates generally a dispenser embodying the principles of my invention. Said dispenser I comprises an elongated container or receptacle II, preferably rectangular in cross section, made from sheet metal or the like. Said container II is formed with a rear wall I2 having lateral flanges I3 overlying and secured to side walls I 4 and I5. Said side walls I4 and I5 may suitably be formed integrally with a bottom wall I6. A front wall II, having a, dispensing opening I8 is provided with lateral flanges llladapted to overlie and be secured to the side walls I4 and I5. Said side walls-I4 and I5 are provided with longitudinally extending slots 28 and 2|, slightly above the middle height thereof, for a purpose that will later appear.

The follower mechanism for the dispenser I0 comprises a follower plate 22 of generally rec-' tangular shape and of slightly smallerdimensions than the inner cross sectional dimensions of the container II. Said follower plate 22'.is provided at its rear face 'with a flanged cross member 23, the flange 2 3 of which is secured to the rear face of the follower plate 22, as by brazing, welding or the like. Said cross member 23 extends laterally beyond the edges of the follower plate 22- to project through the slots '28 and Has at'25 and 26, respectively. Beyond the side walls I 4 and I5, the extended portions of the cross member 23 are bent downwardly to provide guiding flanges 21 and 28, respectively, overlying the adjacent portions of the side Walls. Angle pieces 29 and 30 are secured to said cross member 23 to provide upstanding guiding flanges 3| and 32, respectively, which overlie and are adapted to bear against the inner surfaces of the side walls I4 and I5. The cross member 23, in combination with the downturned flanges 21 and 28 and the upturned flanges 3| and 32, provide a carrier for the follower plate 22 cooperating with the guiding slots 20 and 2| to support the follower plate 22 above the bottom wall I6 and maintain said follower plate in a vertical plane throughout its movement longitudinally of the container.

Movement of the follower plate 22 is effected by means of a pair of coiled springs 33 and 34, which are secured at their forward ends to the flanges 21 and 28, respectively, as at 35 and 36. Said springs 33 and 34 are trained around pulleys 31 and 38, mounted on the side walls I 4 and I5, respectively, and the rearward ends of said springs are secured to said side walls I4 and I5, as at 48. Said springs 33 and 34 are thus held under tension so as to constantly urge the follower plate 22 toward the front or dispensing Wall I7.

As shown in Fig. 3, a stack of napkins 4| is adapted to be positioned between the follower plate 22 and the front wall I? for dispensing through the opening I 8. No particular form of napkin is required other than that it should be so folded as to fit within the container II and present a free edge, such as the edge 42 for grasping and removal through the dispensing opening I8. In order to facilitate the removal of the napkins through the dispensing opening I8 without bind- PATENT OFFICE ing or becoming torn by contact with sharp edges, the edges of the dispensing opening I8 are bowed outwardly as at 43. Since the follower plate 22 is kept in constant vertical alignment by reason of the cooperation between the guiding flanges 21, 28, 3|, and 32 and the guiding edges provided by the slots 20 and 2|, the napkins 4| are likewise maintained in vertical alignment and are not permitted to slump regardless of whether the stack of napkins within the dispenser be large or small.

As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the follower plate 22 is moved back into its rearward position at the time of filling the dispenser with a stack of napkins. The tension of the springs 33 and 34 exerts a pull upon the follower plate 22 urging it forwardly toward the dispensing opening, thereby maintaining the napkins in proper position for dispensing.

The dispensing opening [8 is preferably considerably smaller in area than the napkins M to be dispensed therethrough, in order to provide substantial margins, such as the margins 44 and 5 (Fig. 3) for contact with the marginal portions of the forwardmost napkins. In this way, only a single napkin can be removed at a time by grasping the edge 42 of the foremost napkin fold. This results in economy in the use of the napkins.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I. claim as my invention:

1. A dispenser for folded paper napkins comprising an elongated and rectangular container having a front wall provided with a dispensing opening and being adapted to dispense napkins having an edge thereof seated on the bottom of said container, each side wall of said container having a longitudinally extending slot in it, a carrier supported by said side walls, said carrier comprising a flat bar extending through said slots and resting on said side walls, said bar being provided with a pair of upwardly directed inner guiding members within said container and adjacent the inner face of the side walls thereof, and also being provided with a pair of downwardly directed outer guiding members adjacent the outer face of said side walls, spring means connected to said outer guiding members to urge said carrier towards said front wall, and a vertically extending follower plate secured to said carrier and supported thereby in spaced relation to the walls of said container.

2. A dispenser for folded paper napkins comprising an elongated and rectangular container having a front wall provided with a dispensing opening and being adapted to dispense napkins having an edge thereof seated on the bottom of said container, each side wall of said container having a longitudinally extending slot in it, a carrier supported by said side walls, said carrier comprising a fiat bar extending through said slots and resting on said side walls, said bar being provided with a pair of vertically directed inner guiding members adapted to have extended bearing within said container and adjacent the inner face of the side walls thereof, and also being provided with a pair of vertically directed outer guiding members adjacent the outer face of said side walls, spring means connected to said outer guiding members to urge said carrier towards said front wall, and a vertically extending follower plate secured to said carrier and supported thereby in spaced relation to the walls of said container.

PAUL H. HORWITI. 

